giraffe

noun

gi·​raffe jə-ˈraf 

plural giraffes

1

or plural giraffe : a large fleet African ruminant mammal (Giraffa camelopardalis) that is the tallest of living quadrupeds and has a very long neck and a short coat with dark blotches separated by pale lines

2

Giraffe : camelopardalis

giraffish

jə-ˈra-fish 

adjective

Illustration of giraffe

• giraffe 1

Examples of giraffe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Called Mickey’s Island Escapade, it’s marked by Lilly’s signature suns, palm trees, and ocean motifs, as well as playful touches like giraffes and Mickey enjoying fun times in the sunshine with his sweetheart. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Dec. 2025

In the first photo, the actress could be seen holding her toddler son on her hip and standing by her husband Shammas as the family of three got up close and personal with a giraffe. —Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025

With his pragmatic glamazons and funny little hats and accessories – one classic flap had the head and legs of a giraffe affixed to it – his clothes are witty without being memes. —Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025

Even the life-sized giraffe even got dressed for the season with a ribbon muffler. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian giraffa, from Arabic zirāfa

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing giraffe

• reticulated giraffe

Rhymes for giraffe

• behalf
• carafe
• digraph
• distaff
• falstaff
• subgraph
• autograph
• biograph
• cenotaph
• chronograph
• epigraph
• epitaph

Kids Definition

giraffe

noun

gi·​raffe ˈjə-ˈraf 

plural giraffes or giraffe

: a large swift cud-chewing spotted African mammal with a very long neck that is the tallest of living four-footed animals